Sedimentary model for the shallow-water delta deposits in the salt lake basin: An example from the Xingouzui Formation in the Jianghan Basin, Hubei

The Xingouzui Formation in the Qianjiang depression, Jianghan Oil Field is interpreted to be assembled by the shallow-water lacustrine delta deposits in the salt lake basin in terms of core examination, well logs, palaeoclimate, lithology, palaeontology and sedimentary structures. During the deposition of the Xingouzui Formation, the climates were relatively dry; the lake water was relatively shallow, and no abyssal-bathyal deposits were laid down. There occur the shallow-water delta depositional systems in the inlets, in which the delta plain, delta front and prodelta mud subfacies are recognized. The subaqueous distributary channel deposits are relatively developed as framework sandstones in the shallow-water delta. The shallow-water delta is mainly controlled by fluviation, and the sandstones are aligned as bands. The results of research in this study result in the construction of planar distribution of sedimentary facies and sedimentary model for the shallow-water delta, and thus have assisted in further exploration and development of the Jianghan Oil Field.